Volunteers Who Make a 'Better Community' Honored

Volunteers representing a multitude of Agoura's community programs were honored at a special city council meeting Wednesday evening.

"We couldn't afford to do the things we do without people who have a love and commitment to the city," Mayor Denis Weber said during a reception before the proceedings.

Among the many groups that were recognized at the 25th annual event were CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) members, Friends of the Agoura Hills Library, the Business Task Force, the Cultural Arts Council, the Reyes Adobe Days committee/volunteers, the Reyes Adobe Historical Site docents and the Teen Program.

Trisha Higgins, who received a 2012 CERT Volunteer of the Year award and has been a member since 2008, said she's always looking for ways to be involved with the community and found CERT to be very rewarding.

"I love learning what to do to be able to help people," she said. "We're always doing the drills, so I learn something new all the time."

Local youth who donate their time were also honored and Cassidy Koch, 12, said it was nice to be recognized.

"This is awesome," she said at the reception. "It's so nice to know that it pays off."

Before each of the 250 volunteers were named at the ceremony by Recreation Supervisor Nick Newkirk, Weber told the packed council chambers, "We have a better community because of all of your efforts."

As a token of appreciation, each volunteer in attendance received a backpack specifically selected by Weber this year.